Home Visit From Ahmad Bradshaw Helped Hakeem Nicks Choose Colts

Intro: In his three seasons as the Colts General Manager, Ryan Grigson has shown an affinity for bringing in free agent additions with Super Bowl experience. That was the case again in 2014 when Hakeem Nicks signed to re-join forces with former teammate Ahmad Bradshaw.

The two captured a Super Bowl title together in Indianapolis and when the free agency period opened up in 2014, Bradshaw wanted Nicks to join him in a city where they reached the pinnacle.

In order to show his desire to see Nicks sign with the Colts, Bradshaw went to Nicks’ home to try and seal the deal.

“We had talked about two weeks before I signed and I told him I was interested here,” Nicks says recalling Bradshaw’s in-person visit. “He’s a close friend and he let me know the ins and outs and let me know that this is a great spot.

“When I met with (Ryan) Grigson and just the way they talked about (Bradshaw) was impressive, and he had only been here for one season. That shows me that they embraced him as well and I look forward to that.”

Bradshaw wanted to be reunited with Nicks for several reasons.

The two have remained close after playing four seasons with the Giants, before Bradshaw joined the Colts in the 2013 offseason.

The two also respect what the other can do on the football field, with the 2011 postseason being the fondest of memories.

There was Nicks averaging seven catches, 111 receiving yards and a touchdown per game (three 100-yard receiving games) during the Giants four-game Super Bowl run.

In the backfield, Bradshaw had at least 60 rushing yards in each postseason game and joined Nicks with a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI.

The two want to get back to that stage and when the opportunity rose to do it again, Bradshaw stepped in.

“(Nicks) had mentioned it and I went to his house the week before and kind of promoted it,” Bradshaw says. “He was telling me about Coach Pagano and that’s where he wanted to play.

“Nicks is always wanting to win. He’s willing to help the team as much as he can, anyway he can.”

While Colts fans are curious to see how Nicks’ skillset will be used in a talented receiving corps, there’s some questions on which Bradshaw will be on display in 2014.

The eight-year veteran running back is coming off a season-ending neck injury but if you ask Nicks, there’s nothing to worry about.

“That’s the young beast right there,” Nicks says of Bradshaw. “I think he’s got a lot left in him. He runs hard, plays hard. That’s what he brings to the table. That game preparation and what he can bring is great.

“I look forward to playing on the field together again.”

The feeling is mutual for Bradshaw and there was a reason he made an in-person visit, along with a few phone calls, to lure Nicks.

“That’s like my brother,” Bradshaw says of Nicks.

“We’ve been through a lot together. We won a championship together and just to have him out there I just know that things will be easier for us in the backfield, as for Andrew (Luck) and the rest of the team.”

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